Under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, who may provide their bodies or body parts for medical education, research, or transplantation?

• A. Any age
• B. Only physicians
• C. Those over the age of 18 years
• D. Immediate family members only

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the person giving consent must have the legal capacity to do so, which is established at adulthood. In most jurisdictions, this means being 18 years old or older. Adults can decide to donate their own bodies or body parts for medical education, research, or transplantation, so those over the age of 18 are the appropriate donors. This isn’t restricted to physicians, and it isn’t limited to immediate family members only; while family may be involved in certain consent situations, the donation must come from someone who has the legal capacity to consent, i.e., an adult. Minors generally cannot self‑donate without having the appropriate guardianship or legal authority.